Monday, 23 November 2015

2015 Toys for Tots

They collect new unwrapped toys in December each year and distribute them as Christmas gifts to children whose parents cant afford to buy a Christmas Gift. This year Toys for Tots in Second Life have received L$952,059 which is approximately $3808 USD. The Event schedule can be viewed here It is a 9 day Breedable Expo and fair from November 21st to November 29th, 2015.

A collaborative effort by builders, scripters, Venue owners, musicians, live performers, entertainers and other residents. If you would like to set up one of the donation kiosk, you may request it from Ricky Hillburton, Marissa Goodliffe or Shanon Dubratt. You also have the option to join their group for latest information.Landmark

The fair is spread across 2 sims dedicated to Breedable and Non- Breedable items (Christmas items) from various sellers. WK Wild Kajaera is giving a special limited gift, among other sellers, a "WK Toys for Tots Service Bear".

History
Toys for Tots began as a Los Angeles charitable effort in 1947. William Hendricks was inspired by his wife Diane when she tried to donate a homemade Raggedy Ann doll to a needy child, but could not find any organisation to do so. At her suggestion Hendricks gathered a group of local marine reservists, including Lieutenant Colonel John Hampton, who coordinated and collected some 5000 toys for local children that year from collection bins placed outside Warner Bros. movie theaters. Their efforts were so successful that in 1948, Toys for Tots were launched as a national campaign. Hendricks became the director of Public Relations for Warner Brothers Studio to enlist celebrity support, as well as have a Walt Disney Studios design the red toy train logo.

Until 1979, Marine reservists, dressed in blur uniforms, and volunteers would collect and refurbish toys. In 1980, only new toys were accepted as reservists were no longer able to dedicate drill hours to refurbish toys. As well as the legal concerns and the mixed message of giving hand -me-downs asa message of hope.

In 1991, the Secretary of Defense authorized the creation and affiliation with the non profit charity foundation. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.

In 1996, many communities that did not have a Marine reservist presence, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve authorized Marine Corps League detachments and other local organisations to fill gaps in the toy collection and distribution. In 2009, the program received support from Michelle Obama, who placed the first collection box at the White House. They Toys for Tots Program and Foundation have collected and distributed almost Five Hundred Million toys ever since. In 2011 December, First Lady Michelle Obama took part in a Toys for Tots activity at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.

History in Second Life

This year, Toys for Tots in Second Life is in its 7th year. Started with a meagre undertaking with live music groups and venues and raised 2500 USD. It was founded by Pat Wunderland of Wunderland Records, who came up with the idea to help all we could by using the live music talents to create a CD to give donation with the donation. It was figured that L$500 can be used to buy one toy in RL and that was set price of CD donation. Last year, 2014, total donation of 9,566,604 L$ was raised for the cause.